How does ALEKS work???

nursenora1 · May 16, 2012

I did intermediate algebra through aleks to satisfy excelsior math credit. If you call the people over at aleks they can walk you through it. Also check to see if beginning algebra counts because my advisor told me it didn't.

natnat122 · May 21, 2012

My advisor told me beginning algebra is accepted I asked her 5 times lol.. I know how to work ALEKS Im just wondering how I get my credit if there's a test at the end of the pie or what.. I've been doing the pie and assessments and it seems like it never ends.. Do they just determine when you're smart enough and then give you the credit?

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · May 28, 2012

Hi NatNat... Wow, that Beginning Algebra is pretty tough! I have definitely been humbled... after taking the Basic Math on my free trial, and getting a great score, I figured the Beginning Algebra wouldn't be too bad... I was wrong! I'm working on my pie chart, still have many topics to cover. It is well done, the teaching style really makes sense to me, and you DO learn it.

I believe, once you reach 70% or better, you apply for ACE credit (there is a place to click on it from ALEKS site), then have it sent to Excelsior. I remember hearing from someone to get a printed record of the credit, rather than electronic.

I am counting on them accepting it... based on your response. I can't imagine going through this again for the Intermediate! :)

Good luck... let me know how it goes...

natnat122 · May 28, 2012

Hi NatNat... Wow, that Beginning Algebra is pretty tough! I have definitely been humbled... after taking the Basic Math on my free trial, and getting a great score, I figured the Beginning Algebra wouldn't be too bad... I was wrong! I'm working on my pie chart, still have many topics to cover. It is well done, the teaching style really makes sense to me, and you DO learn it.
I believe, once you reach 70% or better, you apply for ACE credit (there is a place to click on it from ALEKS site), then have it sent to Excelsior. I remember hearing from someone to get a printed record of the credit, rather than electronic.
I am counting on them accepting it... based on your response. I can't imagine going through this again for the Intermediate! :)
Good luck... let me know how it goes...

Hi BarbaraNM!

Yes it is very tough! I get so frustrated with it sometimes I have to take an hour or so break and come back haha.. I'm working on my pie chart too, so far I've completed 2 slices (Arithmetic Readiness and Real Numbers and Variables) and am working on the rest. I actually called Excelsior, ALEKS, and ACE to find out. The representative on the phone with ALEKS was very informative and helpful. And you are right, after you complete a score of 70% or higher on the assessment, you are considered to have passed the class, and you can apply for an ACE credit and have the transcript sent to Excelsior. I can't wait to be done with this! lol..

And yes they do accept it, believe me I've called them about 5 times and emailed them to be sure haha! HAPPY STUDYING! :nurse:

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · May 28, 2012

Hi Nat Nat,

Those are the 2 slices I have completed, also! They seemed to be the easiest to start... I'm also most of the way through Linear Equations, and have completed some of all the others... (I HATE the geometry!!) When I signed up 2 days ago, I was disappointed with my initial assessment (44%!), so went into OCD mode and completed up to 60%, over 13.5 hours! Once I hit 70%, I'll submit it for ACE credit.

Thanks for your help and advice... and Happy Studying to you, too! :)

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

just a bit of advice for those taking the aleks courses... i completed 70% of the learning modules, and thought i was ready to 'submit for ace credit'. nope. just completing the modules isn't enough, you must score 70%+ on the next assessment. so, the assessment popped up, and i raced through it, thinking i was done. nope. i made mistakes in a few of the questions, enough to drop me back down to 68% on the assessment. bummer... it seems that the assessment only comes up every 5 hours of practice.... so now i'm committed for another 5+ hours. i've already spent 28 hours on this course, but it is definitely the way to go for my schedule! i'll be at 33 - 36 hours when all is done, but, truly... i would not have been able to attend class for 3 hours a week for 12 weeks, so it's very cool! cost is $19.95/month, and i will cancel after this course... that plus the fee to ace will make it a very good value!

so... if you're just over the 70%, be very careful doing the assessment, leave some of your learning tabs open, if you need help with the formulas. spending a few extra minutes on the assessment can potentially save 5+ hours! :uhoh3:

update: there is a way to request another assessment... i emailed the staff at aleks. here is their reply: (whew!!)

yes, i can explain how to request a new assessment - it is as follows:

login to your master account.

click on the link to view progress report (lower middle).

click on the link at the bottom of the screen, to request a new assessment now.

when you log back in to your student account, the assessment should begin.

natnat122 · Jun 4, 2012

just a bit of advice for those taking the aleks courses... i completed 70% of the learning modules, and thought i was ready to 'submit for ace credit'. nope. just completing the modules isn't enough, you must score 70%+ on the next assessment. so, the assessment popped up, and i raced through it, thinking i was done. nope. i made mistakes in a few of the questions, enough to drop me back down to 68% on the assessment. bummer... it seems that the assessment only comes up every 5 hours of practice.... so now i'm committed for another 5+ hours. i've already spent 28 hours on this course, but it is definitely the way to go for my schedule! i'll be at 33 - 36 hours when all is done, but, truly... i would not have been able to attend class for 3 hours a week for 12 weeks, so it's very cool! cost is $19.95/month, and i will cancel after this course... that plus the fee to ace will make it a very good value!
so... if you're just over the 70%, be very careful doing the assessment, leave some of your learning tabs open, if you need help with the formulas. spending a few extra minutes on the assessment can potentially save 5+ hours!
update: there is a way to request another assessment... i emailed the staff at aleks. here is their reply: (whew!!)
yes, i can explain how to request a new assessment – it is as follows:

login to your master account.
click on the link to view progress report (lower middle).
click on the link at the bottom of the screen, to request a new assessment now.
when you log back in to your student account, the assessment should begin.

wow thanks so much for that info barbara!

i know your frustration because i did the assessment thinking i'd be done and got a 69%!! i was like omg!! lol.. so now i'm doing moree of those pie slices -__-.

thanks for the knowledge on requesting a new assessment i had no idea. i think i'll do some more slices this week and do another assessment next week if that's the case. i would not have been able to do 3 hours/week as well. i really appreciate aleks and their prices; makes me feel like not everyone is completely out for big business haha.. keep me updated and i will you !! happy studying (againnn whew! lol)!!

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Hi NatNat,

Oh, I am SO glad that was helpful for you! I was so ready to be done, so I just requested the new assessment, got a 72%, and then sent it for the ACE credit. I was notified today that it is approved!

The other class I took was Info Literacy through Penn Foster, and I'm waiting for ACE approval on that one. (Both classes are listed on the ACE website as being eligible/approved, so there shouldn't be a problem!) That's 2 classes I completed in 2 weeks, about 33 hours total.

Next is Straighterline Eng 101... another ACE approved class. I did the free trial on that one, it seems like it will be a good class...

Where are you in your journey?

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Hi NatNat, Oh, I am SO glad that was helpful for you! I was so ready to be done, so I just requested the new assessment, got a 72%, and then sent it for the ACE credit. I was notified today that it is approved!

The other class I took was Info Literacy through Penn Foster, and I'm waiting for ACE approval on that one. (Both classes are listed on the ACE website as being eligible/approved, so there shouldn't be a problem!) That's 2 classes I completed in 2 weeks, about 33 hours total.

Next is Straighterline Eng 101... another ACE approved class. I did the free trial on that one, it seems like it will be a good class...Where are you in your journey?

natnat122 · Jun 4, 2012

Hi NatNat,
Oh, I am SO glad that was helpful for you! I was so ready to be done, so I just requested the new assessment, got a 72%, and then sent it for the ACE credit. I was notified today that it is approved!
The other class I took was Info Literacy through Penn Foster, and I'm waiting for ACE approval on that one. (Both classes are listed on the ACE website as being eligible/approved, so there shouldn't be a problem!) That's 2 classes I completed in 2 weeks, about 33 hours total.
Next is Straighterline Eng 101... another ACE approved class. I did the free trial on that one, it seems like it will be a good class...
Where are you in your journey?

Hey Babara,

Wow congrats! Now I'm tempted to log back in and request an assessment! I did information literacy through excelsior and finished and passed in one day hahaha. Were the classes cheaper through Penn Foster? After this math class, I have A&P, then Lifespan Developmental Psychology and then I'm DONE with my prereqs and I can start the program!! Can't waittt.. Would you suggest I do those two aforementioned classes through Straighterline, is it cheaper?? Congrats again o man Im so happy for you!! I'm next

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Hi NatNat...

YES! Do it! Log back in and request a new assessment... I bet you'll assess at over 70%! I just wanted to get it finished, plus it was still fresh, since I had been working on it so long.. since I have ALEKS for 3 more weeks, I may go in and try one of the other classes, maybe Intermediate Algebra... why not??!! :)

The Info Lit through Penn Foster was only $70... I'm waiting for ACE to add that one to my transcript. Very easy A!!

I've heard that others have done A & P through Straighterline, and have been very happy with it. It is $99 a month, for as many months as you want or classes you can complete. I'm doing Eng 101 through them, but haven't signed up yet. I did the free trial, and I liked it...

In checking Straighterline, I don't see an ACE approved Lifespan or Human Growth Psych... only the general Psych. I am going to CLEP the Human Growth & Development... the fee is $70 or $80, I believe... I have the study materials, but haven't picked a test date yet.

Oh yeah, the big beast Micro.. I've gotta do that, too... I will do the Excelsior exam for that one... have study materials, but doing that one last!

You and I are kinda close in what we've done... we should keep in touch and compare notes! My goal is to get all of the above completed by Sept 1, and maybe take 1 or 2 of the Nursing exams, then enroll before Oct 1!

GOOD LUCK to you!! :yelclap: :yelclap: (Have you enrolled yet?)